Roman Echoes 2020 – Volume 24, Issue 2

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THE PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE

Tu Es Petrus Ad Limina Apostolorum 2019-2020

7 Ordination 12 Ad Limina 15 Meeting the Holy Father 28 Pope Francis 32 Immaculate Conception

Contents 12 7 Features

Updates

6 In Memoriam 7 Ordination 8 160th Anniversary 10 Cortile Quotes 12 Ad Limina Introduction 14 Veneration of the Apostles 15 Meeting the Holy Father 16 Ad Limina, Then and Now

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18 Alumni Interviews 20 Voices of NAC 26 Pope John Paul II 27 Pope Benedict XVI 28 Pope Francis 29 Canonization 30 Pope Pius XII 32 Immaculate Conception

In honor of the 160th anniversary of the College, Roman Echoes now features “NAC Facts,” brief facts on the history of the College as well as current events and trivia.

The Pontifical North American College

5 Rector’s Corner 22 Snapshots 33 Economo's Corner 34 Institutional Advancement

28 15 From the Editor “To the Thresholds.” In a certain way, this is a great, albeit short, way to describe what the men of the College do when crossing the Atlantic to continue their seminary formation here, in pursuit to become good, holy priests for Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, this phrase takes on special significance this year, with the Ad Limina visits. American Bishops cross the Atlantic, in the same way that we all have, but with the specific purpose of traveling to the thresholds of the Apostles, to pray and to venerate the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul and to report on the status of the many dioceses throughout the country. Their time is filled with meetings, reports, and hopefully a good Italian meal or two. And yet, this time is still much more to them, and to the College. For the many bishops staying here at the College during their visits, it is a time of prayer, renewal, and fraternity.

Additionally, for many, it is a time of reunion with their Alma

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Mater here at the College. For the men at the College, it is an opportune blessing to see these shepherds of the Church represent her as they make their pilgrimages to the major basilicas, to the many Dicasteries, to the Holy Father, and to the Apostles, Peter and Paul. With this issue of the Roman Echoes, I invite you all to join us as the seminarians, priests, and bishops here at the College share our experiences during this Ad Limina year. Thank you for your continued support of the College, and please be assured of our continued prayers for all of you.

Seth Lemaire, '21, Diocese of Lafayette, Editor-in-Chief

From DiGiovanni’s Aggiornamento on the Hill of Janus: The first Issue of Roman Echoes appeared in 1938. This annual publication was a journal, printed on heavy, glossy paper, bound, and usually numbering 100 pages, filled with student photographs, artwork, poetry, scholarly articles and a synopsis of important College events.

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Contributors EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Seth Lemaire '21, Diocese of Lafayette MANAGING EDITOR Michael Ledesma '21, Diocese of Tyler ASSISTANT EDITOR Aaron Kelly '22, Diocese of Rochester LAYOUT & DESIGN EDITOR Madison Hayes '21, Archdiocese of Anchorage ASSISTANT LAYOUT & DESIGN EDITOR Alexander Wyvill '22, Archdiocese of Washington

Administration

of the Pontifical North American College RECTOR Very Rev. Peter C. Harman ‘99 VICE RECTOR FOR ADMINISTRATION Rev. Kerry Abbott, OFM Conv. ICTE ’14 VICE RECTOR FOR SEMINARY LIFE Rev. Adam Y. Park ‘05 ACADEMIC DEAN & ROMAN ECHOES FACULTY LIAISON Rev. John P. Cush ’98, C’15 SUPERIOR, CASA SANTA MARIA Rev. James J. Conn, SJ DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION Rev. Edward Linton, OSB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Mark Randall, CFRE For more information about the Pontifical North American College, subscription questions, or to learn about ways you can financially support “America’s Seminary in Rome,” please contact Mark Randall, CFRE, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement.

Tel: (202) 541-5411 Fax: (202) 722-8804 Email: pnacdc@pnac.org Website: www.pnac.org This publication is written, edited, and photographed by the students of the Pontifical North American College.

COVER: St. Peter overlooks the College and the engraving below his statue reminds us that: Ubi Petrus ibi Ecclesia: ubi Ecclesia, ibi nulla mors sed vita æterna "Where there is Peter there is the Church: where the Church is, there is no death, but eternal life". THIS PAGE: St. Peter, extends his blessing to the pilgrims visiting the basilica—among them the many American bishops in town for their visit Ad Limina.

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Rector’s Corner A Pilgrimage ad limina apostolorum

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he College has a great tradition of hosting pilgrims from home while they come to Rome! Family members, parishioners, and friends come to us in great number every year and nearly every day. And the College does a wonderful job, if I may say so myself, in making Americans feel welcome at prayer, pilgrimage, banquets, receptions, Thanksgiving, for ordinations and various celebrations. It is a great priestly skill to learn and provide hospitality, and we are blessed to be able to do so here in our beautiful location. But our recent guests are a special blessing to us, as they are the link between our life at home and our life in Rome: the Bishops of the United States on their pilgrimage, ad limina, to Rome and the Holy Father.

ad limina visits: to foster the ties of fraternity between the local churches (dioceses) from which we all come and the Church Universal, here at the See of Peter with his successor the Holy Father. A lot has been packed into the week which each region has been assigned to be here.

The Church’s custom of ad limina visits, a pilgrimage ad limina apostolorum, “to the thresholds [of the tombs] of the apostles” of Sts. Peter and Paul means the obligation of residential diocesan bishops to meet with the pope to report on the state of their dioceses. To host them has been no small task, but one filled with great enthusiasm and joy.

For a seminarian or priest who is blessed to study in Rome, the connection to the Holy Father is a special one. He represents the whole Church gathered together and protected by the intercession of St. Peter whom he succeeds as shepherd of the Church and the one entrusted in the Gospel of St. Luke with the mission by Christ to confirm the brethren in the faith. I recall with great affection when my bishop at his

The North American College’s very existence is of a similar purpose as the

The bishops have reported in their meetings with the Holy Father and the various dicasteries and congregations these months, very cordial and substantial conversations. The Holy Father has taken great time to meet with the seminarians and priests here in Rome who have joined their Bishops for the initial part of the meeting, and Pope Francis has been generous with his time as the Bishops meet with him.

ad limina in 1998, introduced me to St. John Paul II in my third year of seminary formation of the College, and the time that the Holy Father took to encourage me to be a good deacon, as I had told him my Ordination was coming up in a few months. He knew that Abraham Lincoln was from Springfield Illinois, my diocese, and even though our encounter was only a few minutes, I left with the feeling, which is much deeper than being “star-struck,” that the Holy Father wanted me to be encouraged and know of his support of my vocation.

These weeks have reported similar affection from Pope Francis, and for this the College is blessed.

The visits ad limina, though required, are more than mere formality. So is our having a successor of St. Peter!

May God bless him and his ministry, the North American College and our men, the Bishops who lead us and all of you, in the one faith for which St. Peter and St. Paul gave their lives!

Thanks for your interest and support.

Very Reverend Peter C. Harman, STD ’99, Rector

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Cardinal Levada: Teacher, Pastor, and Priest N I C H O L A S C A S E ‘ 2 1 , A R C H D I O C E S E O F SA N F RA N C I S CO

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his past September witnessed the passing of a great American churchman, William Cardinal Levada. To be honest, when asked to write this short article, the question that I was preoccupied with was this: who am I to write about such an influential shepherd of the Church?

After all, when one thinks about Cardinal Levada, one often thinks of him in his role as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It was in this role that he became the highest ranking American in the history of the Roman Curia. In this role, he excelled as the Pope’s chief teacher. Just as easily, one might also remember him as a pastor of souls, such as when he was chief pastor of the Archdioceses of Portland in Oregon and San Francisco.

I must admit, however, the man I was privileged to know these last years of his life was first and foremost a priest.

He was a man devoted to the Eucharist

NAC FACTS

William Cardinal Levada studied at the College from 1958 to 1961, where he did his theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He continued these studies from 1966 to 1971, obtaining his doctorate in sacred theology, also from the Pontifical Gregorian University.” In the summer of 1969 he was charged with the administration of the College Villa, the last summer that North Ameican College seminarians were there.

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Pope Francis celebrates the Mass of Christian Burial for His Eminence William Cardinal Levada, assisted by Bradley Easterbrooks '22 (San Diego) and Guillermo Hernandez '22 (San Diego).

and the Holy Mass, which formed the heart of his day. As a priest, he loved the Pontifical North American College. Speaking fondly of his time here, he often reminisced about his years at the College, especially pranks played and fascinating people he met, such as Pope St. John XXIII. He was part of that generation of clergymen that formed the hinge from both past and future. Disclosing his ties to the past, he was the last class to embark to Italy from the United States by ship, a voyage that took two weeks. As he frequently told me, new seminarians learned about each other long before they even stepped foot in Europe. Yet, on the other hand, being formed during the time just prior to the Second Vatican Council, he was also inspired by new possibilities for the Church.

Cardinal Levada was a man who lived and breathed theology. He was always reading several books at a time, always very diverse, from theological works to great literature. It was not uncommon to see on his desk at the same time a novel from Steinbeck, a treatise by

Guardini, and the poetry of Hölderlin.

When he discussed theology, which was often, nothing went past him. I remember on one occasion discussing with him the topic for my license. I had been thinking about doing my studies in fundamental theology but wanted my tesina to be in eschatology.

I will never forget sitting with him and telling him my topic, when he abruptly stopped me, half-smiled as he caught me committing a doctrinal faux pau, and wryly said, “Now when I was Prefect, eschatology was not fundamental theology.” To which I remember thinking, a joke only the Prefect of the CDF could appreciate.

On a personal level, he was of unparalleled support, encouraging my vocation and helping me navigate both the joys and difficulties of living and studying in Rome. In the end, we were an odd pairing to be friends. In fact, it was his magnanimity which was revealed in the unexpectedness of our friendship. While it is undeniably true that he was an accomplished teacher for the CDF and a chief pastor to several archdioceses, above all, to me, he was a great priest and friend. For that, I will always remain grateful. n

William Cardinal Leveda '61 (Los Angeles) stands in the center of his class photo with his fellow seminarian brothers during his Theology II year at the College.

A Family of Faith

On the Ordination of Bishop Austin Vetter N I C H O L A S V E T T E R ‘ 2 1 & ST E V E N V E T T E R ’ 2 3, D I O C E S E O F B I S M A R C K

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he priest is a man who just stands there.” This would be a line for which Bishop Austin Vetter ('93) would be remembered by every man who was formed by him at the College. As his nephews, we have been able to see it lived out in his life as a faithful priest, and now as a bishop.

Growing up in the Vetter family, we had many family gatherings with food, fun, and refreshments, but what was constantly at the center of our celebrations was the Holy Mass and our now Bishop-uncle Austin Vetter.

He was never just another uncle. He was the priest. So much so, that his siblings and parents even called him “Father” and now “Bishop.”

Bishop Austin was a major influence on both of our vocations to the priesthood. He helped both of us to clearly see the priesthood as a truly human reality where priests are normal men. The priesthood was not only human for us growing up, but a reality as well, since Bishop Austin and our other uncles, Monsignor Thomas Richter (’96) and Father David Richter (Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, ‘00) were and continue to be men of faith who have led our families. One of us (Nicholas) was able to spend his first year of formation here at the College with the then Father Austin, as he finished the last of his six years as the Director of Spiritual Formation, or as

“It’s simple. It’s not complicated.”

They were able to have as a witness a good and normal priestly example through Father Austin Vetter, something of which I am sure he will bring with him to the good people of the Diocese of Helena, Montana.

From left to right: Nicholas Vetter ’21 (Bismark), Most Rev. Austin Vetter ’93 (Helena), and Stephen Vetter ’23 (Bismark) share their joy after the Episcopal Ordination Mass for Bishop Vetter in Helena, Montana.

he would say, “The Spiritus Directus.”

Over the course of the year, they were able to have many special moments together as well a share a few meals over at one of their favorite restaurants.

Bishop Austin is a pastor and that is who he was while we were growing up. We remember him finishing his first parish renovation at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, ND and finishing the exterior of the church and rectory at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Minot, ND. He is a man for the people, not simply as a friend or priest, but first and foremost as a believer in Jesus Christ and His Death and Resurrection. Since our uncle, Father Austin Vetter is now Bishop Austin Vetter, it has been a humbling experience for our family to receive so many profound comments of his impact on others’ lives. The seminarians at the College were greatly affected by his simple faith. He was fond of saying,

We are grateful to have priests in the family and humbled now to have a bishop. The priests in our families have been supportive and encouraging of our vocations since we were both young. They witnessed for us what it means to be men of faith. Hopefully we are able to receive this wonderful gift that they have given us and be men of faith for others. We leave you with a quote from Bishop Vetter’s twenty-fifth priestly anniversary homily, “The priest is someone to believe with, and just so you know, I do believe!” n

NAC FACTS

Bishop Vetter’s house job while he was at the College was Station Church coordinator. He was charged with leading the group of pilgrims during Lent to pray at forty of the most sacred places in Rome. The shrine Masses are visits of the entire seminary for Mass at the shine or tomb of an apostle or saint. This pious practice, followed at the opening of the College in 1859 until Vatican II, saw a large-scale revival in 1974.

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The College displayed a treasury of aged photos highlighting several Alumni from her earliest classes to remember 160 years of forming priests at the Pontifical North American College.

160 Years of Forming Men in the Heart of the Church ....

R E V. J O E C W I K ’ 1 9, A R C H D I O C E S E O F WA S H I N GTO N

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n December of 1859, a small procession down the Via dell’Umilita ended before the doors of the historic Dominican convent now renovated to receive the first thirteen American seminarians.

On the following day, December 8, 1859, the seminarians, along with the first pro-rector Dom Bernard Smith, O.S.B., once again took to the streets finding their way through their new city. They had been summoned by Pope Pius IX for a personal audience.

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In a letter written to Archbishop Hughes of New York in 1855, Pius IX expressed his desire and his promise to “assist [him] with all good will, as far as we are able, so that you can establish the college.” Four years later, the college that he “strongly desired” to establish had become a reality.

American seminarians were in Rome and the Pope was eager to meet the new residents.

Addressing the first thirteen students, Pius IX prophetically spoke to the generations of seminarians, faculty, guests and benefactors yet to come of our beloved College, “…if the fruits correspond to a beginning so full of hope, America will yet, in years to come, treasure the precious memory

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of the eighth of December, 1859.”

As we celebrate 160 years since our founding, the ‘beginning so full of hope’ is remembered and cherished.

Above all, the hope, first spoken to the College’s first thirteen seminarians, continues to linger within the hearts of all who pass through the doors of Alma Mater. It is this hope that has formed and moved the College in living her mission of forming priests for ministry in America. This hope, traceable from the College’s beginnings and identified by Pius IX and many popes since, gives reason for celebrating the 160th anniversary of the Pontifical North American College.

Anyone familiar with Rome knows that many of its ancient buildings

Robert F. McNamara wrote in his famous book The American College in Rome 1859-1955: “Perhaps the best way to describe this book is to call it the story of an ecclesiastical family and its Roman home. Naturally the family of which we write has always maintained an essentially quiet, studious, and devotional manner of living. But in the Eternal City, which stands at the crossroads of civilization and Christendom, life is perforce a great cosmopolitan adventure.”

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have stood the test of time, and our seminary is no exception. Since its early foundations, the College and its seminarians were not immune to the political turmoil of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Shortly after the arrival of the first class to the newly established college, the situation in America erupted with the start of the Civil War. The early 20th century began the long years of Europe’s own turmoil: there was rationing of food, clothing, and medicine; and the frequent threat of Zeppelin raids. After the First World War and the financial threats of the Great Depression, the Second World War soon broke out forcing the seminarians to return home.

On May 31, 1940, the last seminarian left the college and the doors were closed behind him for what was then an indeterminate amount of time.

By the 100th anniversary, the seminary and its seminarians had encountered trials that threatened its existence.

However, amidst the threats, turmoil, and challenges, the seminary and seminarians proved time and time again their resolve to continue what had been given to them: a house for forming priests in Rome. They persevered in maintaining hope for their future and the future of the College. On March 31, 1948, forty-eight new men arrived renewing the hope of continuing what their brothers before the War began.

However, these ‘pioneers’ and the seminary herself faced the new difficulty of bridging the eight-year gap. The rector, Bishop O’Connor, “feared that the time revered traditions would now be lost and forgotten.”

Thanks to the vice-rector, Msgr.

Richard Burns, those traditions began slowly to be re-integrated as he took time to educate the new pioneers in the ‘ways of old.’ Soon the daily life

of the College returned to normal and the traditions known to us even to this day have their origins in days beyond recall. The College was not recreated but remained what it always was, a college grounded in hope. It had stood the test of time.

The historical sketch of the College manifests that the ‘beginnings so full of hope’ remained despite the hardships and political turmoil that challenged daily seminary life. This hope, spoken of by Pius IX, was not merely an external cornerstone of the building but a cornerstone of the seminarian.

Derived from the mission entrusted to the seminary, this hope flourished in those she prepared, the seminarians.

In pursuit of living out their desire to be priests of Jesus Christ, the College, guided by its faculty, focused on a formation program that would help the young students to answer this divine call. The example of the faculty and the zeal of the students received the affection of Pius X, when in an audience in 1905, he considered the American College “a model in piety and discipline.” Over the years, the manifestation of piety and discipline exemplified in the communal life of the College, serves as a witness to hope. After sharing a meal in the refectory, praying with the community during Vespers, or joining for a house Mass, visitors and guests of the college often leave with a sense of the same spirit identified by Pius X. Pope Pius IX’s words are still evident in the unchangeable mission of the seminary and in the witness of the men formed. Entering the seminary, one cannot but experience a life that is embedded with hope: a way of life that strives to prepare men for the priesthood. The sacred silence, personal prayer, and brotherhood that permeate

throughout the 160 years continue to evoke a sense of timelessness for student and pilgrim alike. Just as the first thirteen seminarians sailed from the shores of America to pursue the priesthood, we too, continue to witness to one another and to the world, that same pursuit and with the same hope, a hope in the power and presence of Christ that overcomes any turmoil or trial. And we, students, faculty, alumni, and benefactors, as Pius IX foresaw will forever “treasure the previous memory of the eighth of December 1859.” n

NAC FACTS

Excerpt from Roman Echoes, 1959: "A Time For Resting" by Henry J. Doherty [Boston, 1960]—"In many rooms, a scene similar to the following now takes place. A desk is cluttered with some “outside reading,” along with guide books, spiritual treatises, and a small notebook. In one corner are tiny silver cans containing summer trip films. A student adjusts a piece of paper into the typewriter and opens the notebook, his diary of activities and sights of his four-week vacation...The finished reports will be mailed home to anxious and interested parents, who can only wonder at their son who is so fortunate in traveling to the historic countries of recent or ancient ancestors."

During his first semester as Rector, Msgr. McCoy led the College though the traumatic events of September 11, 2001. He had prepared to give his first formation conference to the community that very evening, yet recalled, “Needless to say, we had no conference—we only gathered as ‘faith-filled’ men to pray before the exposed Blessed Sacrament.”

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Rome as Teacher

The Cortile degli Aranci at the Seminary features a series of wall panels with anonymous quotes in Latin on the topic of priestly formation in Rome.

DANIEL HOLGREN ’21, DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO

"The health of the Church is closely linked to the health of her seminaries."

"Seminary� comes from the Latin seminarium, meaning seedbed. As the place where men go to become priests, the seedbed makes a good analogy for priestly formation. But neither a flourishing grove nor the health of the Church can be determined by numbers alone.

There are many things that help form a quality priest and determine the health of the Body of Christ. Beginning with the love and support of the home community, a healthy seminary builds on

a foundation of faith already present in the seminarian. The seminary then continues developing all four pillars of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. But just as a seminary is not defined by its numbers, the success of its formation cannot be boiled down to the strength of the pillars alone.

Ultimately, a healthy seminary is one that instills in a man a focus on the other. It is the seminary that is centered on others that is connected to a healthy Church; one who reaches out in service and who is focused on loving those Christ has placed in its path. Although what motivates a man to go outside of himself is unique to the man, if there is not a genuine desire to love and serve the other, the seminary and the Church cannot be considered healthy. Just as Jesus says that any tree that does not bear fruit is deemed unhealthy, so too is the Church considered unhealthy if its priests do not bear fruit in their actions. Like Christ, healthy priests are called to love the Church and lay down their life for her. The health of the Church and the fruit she bears will be directly connected to the seminaries and the priests they produce.

ALEX KRAMER ‘22, DIOCESE OF DES MOINES

"Rome, the See of Peter, has become the universal capital of priestly dignity."

We take the very concept of dignity from the ancient Romans. Today, dignity is synonymous with the belief that each human has an inherent value because we are all made in the image and likeness of God. According to the ancient Romans, however, dignity was not the inherent value of a human person, rather it was living in accord with the role or office which you held. As seminarians we are preparing to be priests. A

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very important part of formation is learning how to act in accordance with the future office, or rather, ministry which we will be given. For seminarians, that means being men of prayer focused on the Lord; it means serving the people as the beloved sons and daughters of God; it means acting as an alter Christus (another Christ).

We have the opportunity to learn the dignity of the priesthood not only from the faculty and professors, but above all from the Holy Father, the man who occupies the See of Peter. Since the Pontifical North American College was founded, we have been under the guidance of twelve popes, two of which have been named venerable, one declared a blessed, and four canonized saints. The Holy Fathers have and continue to serve as role models of priestly dignity, which is, above all, a call to live as witnesses of Christ. The Holy Fathers remain grounded upon the example of the first Pope, Saint Peter, who shows us how to be those witnesses of Christ, by his own example of living out priestly dignity.

NAC FACTS

“Cortile Talks” were organized and given by seminarians in the 1950s on mission topics and on contemporary aspects of ministry in the United States. Other lectures were given by guest missionary priests and prelates, including Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, to acquaint the students with real life preaching of the Gospel outside the seminary walls. This practice continues today with our annual Carl J. Peter lecture on homiletics.

REV. MR. IVAN TORRES '20, DIOCESE OF LAS CRUCES

"Rome is herself the mentor and the finest teacher of future priests."

Each morning, as I leave our front gate and begin walking down the Janiculum Hill, I find myself awestruck as the city begins to sprawl out before me. Even now, descending that same path for four years, I am struck as the rising sun shines through the city buildings and the many Church spires jut out across the horizon.

It is true that, the crowds of tourists can be overwhelming, the streets often littered with garbage, and the chaos of Roman traffic makes you miss driving in open-country USA; but in the early hours of the morning, when most of the city still sleeps and the workday has yet to begin, the splendor of this ‘eternal city’ shines. There is no city in all the world with so rich a history, or so impressive a skyline to tell its story.

As we walk down our hill and see Castel Sant’Angelo, we remember the plague of the 6th century and the processions

throughout the city imploring a miracle. When we cross the Tiber, we pass by the Church that houses the foot of St. Mary Magdalene and remember the eyewitnesses to Our Lord’s Resurrection and their evangelical zeal. We pass other national seminaries, religious houses of formation, and we remember that missionaries from all over the world have come here, to this city, to be formed like ourselves.

And that is what makes Rome the finest teacher and mentor of future priests, brimming as she is with the diversity of her members, filled with the relics of her saints, and a storybook of the history of the Church. It is to be formed in the universality of the Church and in the depth of her tradition that we come to Rome, the finest teacher of future priests.

PATRICK RYAN ’23, DIOCESE OF PROVIDENCE

"The opportunity to study theology in Rome should be counted as one of God’s greatest gifts."

The opportunity to travel to Rome and spend four years studying theology is a great gift, and really the chance of a lifetime. As a center of history, culture, and the Catholic Church herself, Rome has much to offer. At every turn there is a church building or a historic site that reminds us of the Church’s magnificent history and of the holy men and women who have gone before us in faith. Their examples encourage us along our way.

It is particularly fitting for seminarians to come here. As we prepare for the priesthood, we strive to know the Lord and follow him more closely. Though we miss our friends and families, it is good for us to take some time away from our homes so that we can focus more on Jesus and allow him to shape us into men after His own heart. We also get to study at

historic universities that teach us the truths of the faith and that immerse us in the richness of God’s revelation of Himself to humanity. What we study helps us to appreciate our Lord more, and to hopefully be better ministers of His love when we return home. We also see firsthand the universality of the Church as we study each day with students from all over the world. In all, this witness gives us a newer appreciation for how God fulfills His promise to be with us as we preach the Gospel to all the nations. We hope that our time here, in the heart of the Church, will confirm in us our particular role of service in the Body of Christ, and we thank God for the chance to be here.

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AD LIMINA

Ad Limina Apos O Roma Felix Rev. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey, Director of Liturgical Formation O Roma felix, quae duorum principum es consecrata glorioso sanguine.

These words, which are engraved above the sixth floor of the “old” tower, quite appropriately describe one of the great blessings of the location of the Pontifical North American College.

O happy Rome, you who have been consecrated by the glorious blood of the two princes of the apostles.

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As residents and visitors stand on the sixth-floor terrace or on the top floor of the “new” tower and face those words, with the Vatican and Saint Peter’s Basilica off to the right of them, the significance of that expression becomes especially evident.

Those words engraved on the tower are actually taken from the beginning of the hymn for Evening Prayer II of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29th and as such, they intimate the hospitality that is one of the missions of the seminary. During the ad limina visits this year the College is blessed to host over 270 bishops along with the priests who have accompanied them to Rome.

Gracious and joyful hospitality are some of the hallmarks of the seminary here, especially as seminarians look forward to visiting with their bishops and with priests from home, but the same hospitality is also evident as the seminarians assist the bishops at their Masses here at the seminary as well as at the major Roman basilicas.

from left to right: Rev. John Gancarz ’19 (Hartford) captures the moment with The Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair ’75, who ordained Rev. Gancarz on June 22, 2019 along with his auxiliary bishop, The Most Rev. Juan Miguel Betancourt Torres (CSM ’05) just before they went in to meet the Holy Father on November 7th.

2019-2020

stolorum Numerous references to the ad limina visit appear in the fourth century. By the year 597, the bishops of Sicily were visiting Rome every three years. Pope Sixtus V, in 1585, decreed that ad limina visits should take place on what might be seen as a geographical schedule: every three years for the bishops of Italy; every four years for the bishops of Germany, France, and England; and every ten years for bishops of Asia and America.

The ad limina visits today are regulated by the Directory for the “Ad Limina” Visit that was issued by the Congregation for Bishops on June 29, 1988. Two basic purposes of the ad limina visits are: to venerate the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul and to meet with

NAC FACTS

the Successor of Peter. The veneration of the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul has its roots already in early Christianity. In addition to that, the Bishop of Rome needs reliable and authoritative information regarding the actual situation of the various local churches if he is to fulfill his particular mission to the universal Church.

A significant part of the remote preparation for the ad limina visit is the report that each bishop prepares on the diocese that has been entrusted to his care. In this report, he informs the Holy See of the initiatives that have been undertaken, the difficulties that have been encountered, and the results of the projects that have been carried out.

Beyond meeting with the Holy Father, during their ad limina visits, the bishops also meet with the various Dicasteries of the Roman Curia. These visits of the bishops to the Dicasteries are of special significance because of the intimate connection that exists between the Pope and the curial offices as ordinary instruments of the ministry of the Successor of Saint Peter.

As one who has worked with a number of the American bishops who are now making their ad limina visits, O Roma felix comes to mind. O happy Rome, consecrated by the blood of the two princes of the apostles—and who now welcomes their successors who give their lives, in our day, in the service of Christ and his Church. n

Excerpt from McNamara’s book The American College in Rome 1859-1955: "It was a general custom, on the 29th the feast of Rome’s founding Apostles, to visit St. Peter’s—passing under the immense ‘fishermans net’ of evergreen garlands which hung above the portico—in order to pray at the tomb of the first pope...and to hear the choir sing the lovely 'O Roma Felix'."

photo left Bishops from Region IV walk towards the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

ROMAN ECHOES 2020 • VOLUME 24: ISSUE 2

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AD LIMINA

Faith at the Threshold

On the Veneration of the Tombs of the Apostles, Peter and Paul.

• • • •

Rev. John Gancarz ‘19, Archdiocese of Hartford

One of the lesser known works of Evelyn Waugh, an English author of the mid-20th century and convert to Catholicism, is his novel Helena on the life of St. Helen. As you may be aware, St. Helen is usually renowned for two reasons. She was the mother of Constantine, Emperor of the Roman Empire, and, as tradition holds, St. Helen journeyed to Jerusalem to find the relic of the true cross. Yet, beyond these well-known biographical details, Waugh’s novel also describes St. Helen’s engagement with popular belief systems of the Roman Empire. She encounters those who worship the pagan god Mithras and the so-called Gnostics. They inform Helen about fantastical stories of the gods and an esoteric wisdom which would take a lifetime to possess. Eventually, St. Helen says to a Christian, “Tell me of this God of yours.” The Christian says very simply and concretely, “I should say that as a man he died two hundred and seventy-eight years ago in Palestine.” While Waugh’s work is one of historical fiction, this episode nonetheless reveals a profound truth: God acts in time, in history. The Christian faith is not found in inaccessible knowledge or conjured legends, but is grounded in reality.

Rome, the city of countless saints, brings forth the same lesson of Waugh’s Helena. Sometimes we all too easily fall into thinking that the saints or even Jesus Christ Himself lived in a far distant world distinct from ours. As pilgrims to Rome can testify, touring the living quarters of saints, praying at their tombs, or reverencing the sites of their martyrdoms can deeply enliven one’s faith. I was blessed to be a part of this experience for pilgrims

• • • •

as a tour guide of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The Basilica has been the virtually uncontested burial location of St. Paul since he was martyred nearly two thousand years ago. Two fellow seminarians and I were fortunate to be on the maiden team to develop this apostolate in December 2016, with the generous support of James Cardinal Harvey, Archpriest of the Basilica.

Spending a great deal of time within the Basilica, the power and reality of St. Paul’s witness and work became especially concrete for me. I was continually reminded that all Christians are still called to the same mission of this inspiring saint: preaching the Gospel “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Our bishops visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, among the other major basilicas, when they officially travel to Rome to meet the Holy Father. These visits ad limina apostolorum, to the threshold of the apostles, are most fitting when we recall that when our bishops pray before the tombs of the apostles, they venerate the relics of their eminent predecessors. The apostles of the faith were the first Christ sent to teach, govern, and sanctify His Church. They have never ceased modeling saintly leadership and discipleship through their lives and martyrdoms. It was powerful to witness my archbishop and the bishops accompanying him to pray at the sacred tombs of Christ’s first followers. It was strikingly evident how, in continuity with two thousand years of tradition, the apostolic succession continues because the Church continues. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the same Church of St. Paul, St. Helen, and all of the faithful throughout the ages continues to hand on the Catholic and apostolic faith. More precious than even any sacred site, the Church brings us to the risen Christ Himself whom we encounter above all in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. n

left to right Fr. John Gancarz ’19 (Hartford), along with his Bishop, The Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair ’75, who ordained Rev. Gancarz on June 22, 2019, and Most Rev. Juan Miguel Betancourt, wait to meet the Holy Father in the Apostolic palace.

NAC FACTS

14

The College Apostolate to St. Paul Outside the Walls, kickstarted by Rev. Gancarz, is one of many current apostolic efforts at the College. Interestingly, in the 1970’s the seminarians taught religion, offered young adult counseling, and ran a youth club at Saint Paul’s Inside-the-Walls Episcopal Church—also on the students’ own initiative.

The Pontifical North American College

Encountering the Bishop of Rome On Meeting the Holy Father, Pope Francis • • • •

Madison Hayes ’21, Archdiocese of Anchorage

Ascending the marble steps that lead to the Sala San Clemente, I moved past a beautifully wrought statue of St. Joan of Arc, the woman who stood for a nation under God, and who centuries later interceded as the heroine of a little girl named Marie-Françoise-Thérèse. The same Thérèse who confidently climbed those same stairs before me to meet the man who stands for Christ on earth.

Together with the bishops from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, U.S.A., I made each stride a prayer in continuity with the many Saints through the ages who were likewise privileged to meet the bishop of this eternal city. I wonder if they had experienced so many butterflies swimming around as I had that rich Roman morning.

A cathedra upon which Pope St. Paul VI was hoisted above the crowds stood out as we moved through each room of the Apostolic Palace, where centuries’ old treasures of Christendom marked the path leading to the library where Pope Francis was to welcome each bishop, priest, and seminarian. In our brief exchange, I felt as if I was greeting my close friend and neighbor, a man who I had grown to know remotely through his teaching and example, and care for deeply through prayer. A simple Advent wreath flickered in the background as I shook the hand of Rome’s beloved bishop and expressed my gratitude for his humble service to the Church. The bishops each took their seats around Pope Francis as I was ushered back through the halls to the waiting area, but not before stopping to say a quick prayer of thanksgiving in the private chapel beneath a marvelous painting of the Nativity flanked by two stained glass windows depicting Saints Peter and Paul.

I reflected later with one of the Region’s auxiliary bishops who was making his first Ad Limina. I asked him if he

• • • •

was able to share his experience from the few hours long meeting with his brother bishops at the feet of Peter’s successor. He noted the humility of Pope Francis and the pastoral advice he offered in response to the bishops’ many questions. The Holy Father also revealed a deep sense of interior peace that has sustained him throughout his Pontificate and urged the bishops of the United States to share this sense of peace with each other in order that they be an example of unity for their flocks. The Holy Father encouraged the bishops to persevere amidst the challenges of today and to entrust themselves fully to God. St. Thérèse’s intense desire to abandon herself totally to God through the Carmel in 1887 blazed with the same fervor as St. Joan of Arc at the stake in 1431. Clutching the Holy Father’s hands with her little voice trembling full of emotion, she pleaded to enter religious life, “Oh! Holy Father, if you say yes, everybody will agree!” Pope Leo XIII responded to the teenage Thérèse: “Go…go…You will enter if God wills it!” When the Church celebrates the feast day of St. Thérèse of Lisieux next October, my classmates and I will return to St. Peter’s Basilica to be ordained Deacons at the altar under the chair of Rome’s first bishop. I hope for that same burning desire in my heart: to live for God, to serve my country and my Church, and to echo Francis’ words to all: “Go in Peace, glorifying the Lord by your life!” n

Madison Hayes ’21 (Anchorage) pauses beneath a statue of St. Joan of Arc while making his way up the many stairs that lead to inner room of the Apostolic Palace where he will soon encounter the Bishop of Rome.

NAC FACTS

The canonization Mass of St. Joan of Arc took place in Rome on May 16, 1920. For the College, the rite of canonization for France’s valiant heroine was a thrilling affair as the seminarians joined the ranks of thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, including 140 descendants of the new Saint.

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AD LIMINA

In youth we learn. In

An experience of the Ad Limina by the You

A Thoroughly American Experience • • • •

John Lado ’23, Archdiocese of Washington

During our first year in Rome at the Pontifical North American College, my class and I experience many unique firsts. Sometimes they are extraordinary events such as going to a canonization Mass of new saints at Saint Peter’s Basilica, or at other times they are frustrating events like a three-hour train delay on a trip back from Naples because of rail issues!

But another first-time experience, which does not happen every year, is getting to meet the US Bishops as they travel from their various dioceses to visit with the Holy Father as part of their ad limina visit. During their time in Rome, most of the bishops stay at the College and because of this, we are graced with their company at pranzo and their presence at one of our community Masses.

Seeing different bishops from all over the United States gives us a little taste of home with each bringing a unique flavor from their part of the country. For example, on Thanksgiving Day, the bishops from New Jersey and Pennsylvania were with us, and we celebrated America

NAC FACTS The term pranzo that John Lado mentions, has a variety of meanings. According to current usage at the College, a regular lunch meal is a pranzo, an extra-large lunchtime meal is a pranzone, and an extra-large dinner is called a cenone, as opposed to a regular sized cena. Out of use are the historic hairline distinctions between a pranzetto and a pranzettino—which were qualified by the usage of large bushes placed in the refectory and not associated with a particular Feast day.

• • • •

together, remembering our homeland and the people whom we serve.

Many times, seminarians can become caught up in the stories of what this bishop said or that bishop did, and we can forget that these bishops are real, flesh-and-blood people. It has been an enjoyable time to sit and laugh with bishops from different parts of the country that I have never been able to visit. I would like to call it a thoroughly American experience: a grouping of bishops with different backgrounds, personalities, and gifts, all coming together to serve Christ and His Bride.

One Bishop, in his homily addressed to the seminarians, commended us for being an inspiration to him and his fellow bishops. His words were effective and piercing with their sincerity.

We inspire him by our “yes” to Christ, and we give him surety that the Gospel message will continue to be proclaimed in the years to come. There will be someone waiting in the wings; the Gospel has not fallen on deaf ears but on those for whom it is effective and through whom it will bear much fruit. We are a comfort to him, as his heartfelt and fatherly words were a comfort to us.

Likewise, seeing the entire US Church arrive in Rome, week by week, reminds us of what awaits us at home and inspires us to concentrate well on our studies and draw ever closer into the heart of charity that is Jesus Christ.

Being at the North American College has provided the blessing of meeting the successors of the Twelve and being close to St. Peter in the heart of the Church. That is something to be thankful for! n

John Lado ‘23 (Washington) and Msgr. James MacNamara bridge the years between them with a smile as they reflect on their experiences being the youngest and the oldest current member of the College.

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The Pontifical North American College

age we understand.

ungest and Eldest Member of the College

To the Threshold

• • • •

Msgr. James MacNamara, Spiritual Director

We are in the midst of the ad limina visits of the Bishops of the United States to our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Ad limina means “to the threshold” and signifies the journey of the Bishops to visit with the Holy Father, who is the Vicar of Christ on earth and embodies the unity of the Catholic Church. The unity and universality of our Catholic faith is beautifully lived out in these ad limina visits to the Holy Father.

The Bishops of each of the fifteen regions of dioceses in the United States celebrate Mass at each of the four major basilicas in Rome: St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. They return to the apostolic roots of the Catholic Church and pray at the tombs of those who have gone before us, those who were sent forth to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead.

In addition, the Bishops visit the major Congregations that serve the mission of the Church. At this point, not all of the regions have made their visit but it is already clear to us who live here at the College that these conversations with Vatican officials have been marked by a sense of hospitality and fraternity.

I was ordained in 1971 and have experienced many changes over these years. I spent five years here in Rome on the faculty of the College from 1982 to 1987. Both then, and now that I have returned on the faculty, I am very impressed by the young men who are willing to step forward and give themselves over to a Church that has and is facing many challenges. It is my humble privilege to walk with them. They give me great hope for the

• • • •

future of the Church. These seminarians are a source of encouragement to the Bishops in conversations at lunch and informal meetings during the week. I have no reservations in encouraging diocesan bishops to send men to the College for a wholesome preparation for priesthood.

Our mission is to prepare men for parish ministry.

Clearly, the highlight of the ad limina visit is the visit with the Holy Father. Many seminarians and priests have been welcomed to meet Pope Francis individually when the Bishops first arrive. Then, the Bishops meet with the Holy Father as a group for open conversation.

My impression is that these sessions have been productive and uplifting for the Bishops. The Holy Father listens with care to their concerns.

In these twilight years of active ministry, I hope and pray that these encounters and conversations with Pope Francis and his collaborators will foster a deeper unity within the Church and a wholesome appreciation of Pope Francis as the Vicar of Christ. What is most important is that all of us proclaim and live the saving gift Jesus Christ gave us when He died on the Cross and the new life of hope He established when He rose from the dead. n

NAC FACTS

In 1971, the year Msgr. McNamara was ordained a priest, the secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops sent a letter to all American bishops to discuss the priesthood and help form a document that was used to prepare for the Roman synod on the priesthood.

This affirmed the nature of the ministerial priesthood despite calls for change to meet the needs of a modern society torn by inequality and social unrest.

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AD LIMINA

Here and Back Again An Interview with Alumnus of the College, Bishop Robert P. Deeley Roman Echoes had the opportunity to interview the Most Reverend Robert P. Deeley ‘73, Bishop of Portland and Chairman of the Pontifical North American College Board of Directors regarding his time as a student at the College and his recent ad limina visit to Rome with the Bishops of Region I. Bishop Deeley, what are some of your favorite memories of being a seminarian at the NAC? My days at NAC were very different from the experience of today. My contact with home was a weekly letter from my mother, and a response from me. Thus, my classmates became dear friends. We supported each other in all our challenges, and we had fun doing it. Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) were always great celebrations. Our trips around Italy, and, on the longer vacations, to Germany, Austria or France were great learning experiences and opportunities to learn about the cultures around us. The visit of Pope St. Paul VI to the College on February 22, 1970, was a particular highlight.

What was it like being formed for the priesthood near the Holy Father?

A few years into my time at the College we began to be called upon to help with serving at Papal Masses. It was surreal to be in the sacristy at St. Peter’s and realize that you were serving with the Pope. Our sense of affection for Paul VI was great. His canonization was a special day. My visits to his tomb now are similar to my visits to the tomb of St. Robert Bellarmine at Sant’Ignazio.

These saints are our friends who, in their intercession for us, help us to follow the Lord Jesus, just as they did. The time in Rome at NAC gives us a unique opportunity to connect with these friends of the Lord Jesus.

What effect does the ad limina visit have on your diocese and the work you are doing there?

Each diocese, prior to the meeting, gathers information and prepares a very thorough report on the pastoral activity of the diocese. It provides a very good summary of the

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The Pontifical North American College

strengths and challenges we face as the Church in Maine.

With the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Presbyteral Council, and Episcopal Council, we will study this document to know where we are, and to look forward to the way in which we will commit to our efforts at making known the Good News of Jesus in our diocese. As is the case throughout the Northeast, there is a diminishment in numbers of Catholics, but we are a people with a message that we believe brings great meaning to life. We want to know how to form our Church to be disciples of this Good News.

What would be one piece of advice you would give to the seminarians here at the NAC? One of the greatest challenges of ministry is the ability to appreciate what each person brings to the community of the Church. When asked once by a young priest what I thought he should do in the parish as he began his ministry, I suggested that he learn to love the faith that was in the people. We have a tendency to notice what is missing in the lives of others. I suggest we look for what is present. We will discover the rich ways in which God’s grace works in the hearts of people. Be grateful for that grace that can be seen. And the ability to do that begins in your relationships in the seminary. n

NAC FACTS Bishop James A. Hickey, the rector during Paul VI’s visit to the seminary wrote: “The Holy Father spoke very beautifully on reasons for studying in Rome. After the Mass, the Holy Father met individually each of the students from both our institutions...We are pleased and delighted beyond words."

NAC FACTS

Gift-giving when meeting with the Holy Father is not an uncommon tradition at the College, but usually it happens the other way around. Some historical examples include: Pope Pius IX giving students a holiday from classes, a small painting of the Madonna and Child in November 1865, and a marble bust of St. Francis de Sales in June 1874.

An Interview with Alumnus of the College, Bishop Parker Roman Echoes had the opportunity to sit down with the Most Reverend Adam Parker ’99, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, to ask him about his time as a student at the Pontifical North American College and his ad limina visit with the bishops of Region IV. Bishop Parker, can you give us a little background about yourself, your time here at the College?

I arrived here in the Fall of 1995. I am a classmate of The Very Rev. Peter Harman, the rector. We came here together on the very same plane, on the very same day. I have to say that this ad limina visit has been personally a surreal homecoming of sorts, having spent five years here as a student. There was an ad limina that occurred sometime around my third year with Pope St. John Paul II. Cardinal Keeler and our auxiliaries came, and we had the opportunity to be introduced to the Holy Father. Having the opportunity to do that with our current seminarians here at the College brought back a lot of memories.

What is one of your favorite memories of being a seminarian here at the NAC? Definitely the camaraderie among my classmates, which we maintain to this day. We did a lot of things together, for example, travelling together. Still today, the people I go on vacation with every year are fellow students from my time here. I have great memories of that camaraderie.

I think that is still the case today. This is such an intense experience, that going through it together forms intense bonds of friendship with those whom we study, that they last a lifetime.

Can you speak of the opportunity that seminarians in Rome have to develop a closeness to the Holy Father and how that has continued to impact your ministry?

Something I have really experienced profoundly this week, as a first-time bishop on an ad limina, is the closeness of the bishops of our region with Pope Francis.

I certainly experienced that during our long encounter with him on Tuesday, but I have also seen that expressed in the conversations we have had with the leaders of the various dicasteries. The foundation for that closeness was laid while being a student here at the College. We had a number of opportunities as students to encounter the Holy Father. The first time I saw a pope was during Orientation. We were bused to Castel Gandolfo for a Vespers Service and greeting and John Paul II greeted us by name in English. We then had several opportunities over my years here to see the Holy Father.

What has been one highlight of your ad limina visit?

One thing that has been really cool about our visit and has been making the national news is the Baltimore Ravens jersey that Deacon Justin Gough was able to present to the Holy Father. I was standing right behind Deacon Justin as he did that and had the perspective of seeing the Holy Father’s facial expression during that exchange. He really lit up at that moment. He was in a receiving line of over one hundred people, but that really caught his attention. The Ravens jersey was signed by the coach, John Harbaugh, and the quarterback, Lamar Jackson. n

Rev. Mr. Justin Gough ’20 (Baltimore) offers the Holy Father a gift from home: a custom Baltimore Ravens jersey.

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AD LIMINA

VOICES OF NAC “This ecclesial dimension of the history of the People of God takes its origin, in fact is born, from these words of faith, and is linked to the man who uttered them: ‘You are Peter—the rock—and on you, as on a rock, I will build my Church. . . ' Yes, Rome is the See of Peter. Down the centuries new Bishops continually succeeded him in this See. . .

How could one not tremble before the greatness of this call and before the universal mission of this See of Rome!" ~ Pope John Paul II, Homily for the Inauguration of His Pontificate, October 22, 1978 During your time here in such close proximity to the Holy Father, what is one of your fondest memories of an experience here at the College?

A personal highlight from my three years here so far is from Christmas Eve, 2017, my first Christmas here, when I had the opportunity to serve for Mass at St. Peter’s.

Pope Francis took the time to greet each of the servers in the Chapel of the Pietà before Mass, where we were able to observe his gentle demeanor and genuine smile.

I’m grateful for this unique and unforgettable experience!

Matthew Duclos ’21, Diocese of Albany

To affirm perhaps the obvious, the most memorable take-away from my Roman memories was, and remains, a personal experience of the Church universal—the catholicity of the Church, that Jesus is everyone’s savior and seeks out all who will “come and see.” Now, although the College has sometimes been criticized as an “American ghetto,” even there I learned that the Church was larger than Brooklyn, where I have my roots. The feeling of being in St. Peter’s Square, lost in a sea of humanity, yet somehow found in the embrace of the successor of St. Peter, the Vicar of Christ on earth, was a life-changing lesson for me: we really are a communion of saints (and many sinners), all called to be one in God’s family.

Most Rev. Edward Scharfenburger ’73, Diocese of Albany

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The Pontifical North American College

This year’s Opening Mass was a blessed moment where we, as a community, got to witness some of our brothers no longer in our pews, but in the sanctuary as priests. They processed up to kiss the altar from which they later fed us with the Body and Blood of our Lord, they blessed us with their consecrated hands, and they gave the rest of us hope for what is to come.

Jeison Cortes ’22, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

I fondly remember the Easter Vigil with Pope St. Paul VI at St. Peter’s Basilica during my first year at the College in 1973. I will never forget the moment when the lights came on throughout the Basilica following the third proclamation of “Lumen Christi” (before the Exsultet) and feeling such a sense of wonder.

Even though I have celebrated over 40 Easters as a priest and bishop, I will always remember that sacred night.

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo ‘77, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Rome was a powerful empire, but that is not the part of Roman history that has brought me to Rome.

Each morning, I find myself looking out my window at the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, and I am reminded of the tomb with the man who followed Christ. The church in Rome is centered on the See of St. Peter and his boldness to follow the Lord.

I am encouraged to follow Christ daily and follow in the footsteps of so many great saints before me.

The morning after arriving in Rome, We went to St. Peter’s for Mass. We noticed a group forming near the altar of St. Pius X. However, we were surprised to see two popes present; Pope Francis was casually praying at the tomb of his predecessor! I witnessed in that moment Christ’s promise to Peter: the Church, under the care of the Holy Father, will endure until the end of time.

Ryan Glaser ’23, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Rev. Mr. Joseph Caraway ’20, Diocese of Lake Charles

My fondest memories of being at the North American College involve Pope St. Paul VI. I first met him when serving the Holy Father’s Christmas Midnight Mass in 1971. Over four years, participation for many of us in papal liturgies was frequent and extensive. Pope St. Paul VI was kind and thoughtful, never giving offense, prudent in speech, and keenly aware of the continuity of his office and ministry as the Successor of St. Peter. In short, he was a gentleman.

Most Rev. Glen John Provost ’75, Diocese of Lake Charles

I will never forget the experience of being ordained a deacon in St. Peter’s Basilica, a place that calls to mind Peter’s ultimate witness to Christ and the continuation of that witness in the ministry of Pope Francis. Laying prostrate on the floor of the Basilica, I grew more aware of my closeness to Peter and his successors through this witness which constantly calls me to courageously live the Gospel in service to Christ and His Church.

Rev. Ralph D’Elia ’19, Diocese of St. Petersburg

When St. John Paul II was called home, I felt as if I had lost my father. I am confident that it was my experiences with him when I was at the NAC that gave rise to that close bond. It underlined for me Pius IX’s wisdom in calling for the establishment of the College, ensuring a strong connection between the Church in the United States and the Successor of Peter.

For that, I am most grateful.

Most Rev. Bernard Hebda ’89, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

One of the blessings of my formation at the Pontifical North American College was living and studying in such close proximity to the Holy Father, Pope St. John Paul II, the successor of St. Peter at that time. To be able to walk down the Janiculum Hill and visit the Basilica of St. Peter whenever I was able was something that brought me great joy. To be able to pray at the tomb of St. Peter and be in the presence of the successor of St. Peter was very special.

Most Rev. Gregory Parkes ’99, Diocese of St. Petersburg

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Ad Limina Apostolorum I will be recreating this map

SEATTLE Spokane Yakima

PORTLAND Helena

Fargo

Bismarck

XII

Baker City

Great Falls-Billings

VIII

Boise Rapid City

Sioux Falls

Reno

Sacramento

Santa Rosa

Cheyenne

Salt Lake City

OMAH

Grand Island

Oakland

Lincoln

Stockton

SAN FRANCISCO

Monterey

Fresno

IX

DENVER

XI

San Jose

Peter Srsich Peter Srsich

Colorado Springs

XIII

Pueblo Dodge City

Las Vegas

Wichita

San Bernardino

LOS ANGELES

Salina

SANTA FE

Gallup

Orange

Amarillo

San Diego

OKLAHOMA CITY

Phoenix Lubbock Tuscon

Las Cruces

Fort Worth

El Paso

Faitbanks

San Angelo

XII

XI

Anchorage

X Austin

Honolulu

GA

SAN ANTONIO

Victoria

Juneau

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The Pontifical North American College

DATES FOR EACH REGION’S VISIT TO ROME

Corpus Christi Laredo

I: Nov. 3 - 9 Nov. 9, 2019

VII: Dec. 8 - Dec. 14, 2019

II: Nov. 10 - Nov. 16, 2019

VII: Jan. 12 - Jan. 18, 2020

III: Nov. 24 - Nov. 3, 2019

IX: Jan. 12 - Jan. 18, 2020

IV: Dec. 1 - Dec. 7, 2019

X: Jan. 19 - Jan. 25, 2020

XIII: Feb. 9 - Feb. 15, 2020

V: Dec. 1 - Dec. 7, 2019

XI: Jan. 26 - Feb. 2020

XIV: Feb.9 - Feb. 15, 2020

VI: Dec. 8 - Dec. 14, 2019

XII: Feb. 2 - Feb. 8, 2020

XV: Feb. 16 - Feb. 22, 2020

Brownsville

2019-2020 Region Visits Crookston

I Duluth

Marquette

Superior

Ogdensburg

St. Cloud

ST. PAUL-MINNEAPOLIS

New Ulm

La Crosse

Winona

Des Moines

Davenport

Kalamazoo Ft. Wayne South Bend Toledo Gary

Joliet

Peoria

Kansas City - St. Joseph

KANSAS ST. LOUIS CITY Jefferson City

Evansville

Metuchen Trenton

IV

LOUISVILLE

Lexington

Nashville

Dallas

V

Birmingham

Richmond

Knoxville

KEY:

Charlotte

This map shows boundaries for the Latin Rite dioceses whose bishops belong to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

XIV

ATLANTA

Charleston

Archdioceses are indicated by capital letters.

Jackson

Tyler

ALVESTONHOUSTON

Alexandria

MOBILE

Baton Rouge Beaumont Lake Charles

Biloxi

Pensacola-Tallahassee

Ecclesiastical Provinces are grouped by color.

St. Augustine

USCCB regions are shown within gray lines.

NEW ORLEANS Lafayette

Houma-Thibodaux

Dotted lines show where dioceses cross state lines.

Orlando St. Petersburg Venice

Palm Beach

MIAMI

Region XV is not a geographical region and it does not consist of ecclesiastical provinces.

Instead, it consists exclusively of US branches of various, generally Europe or Asia-based, particular Eastern Catholic Churches.

Paterson

PHILADELPHIA BALTIMORE WASHINGTON

Savannah Shreveport

Brooklyn

NEWARK

Harrisburg

Memphis Little Rock

NEW YORK

Raleigh

Tulsa

Y

Worcester Fall River Norwich Providence Hartford

Camden

Wheeling-Charleston

Owensboro

Springfield-Cape Girardeau

Rockville Centre

Arlington

CINCINNATI Covington

Belleville

Bridgeport

Erie Altoona-Johnstown Youngstown Allentown Cleveland Greensburg Wilmington Stuebenville Columbus

INDIANAPOLIS

VII

Buffalo Scranton

BOSTON Springfield

Albany

III

Lafayette Springfield

Rochester

Pittsburgh

DETROIT Lansing

Rockford

CHICAGO

Saginaw

Rapids

DUBUQUE

Sioux City

Syracuse

MILWAUKEE Grand

Madison

HA

VI

Green Bay

Portland Manchester

II

Gaylord

Burlington

This map does not show the Diocese of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Washington, or the Archdiocese of the Military Services.

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Snapshots

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Jonathan Liedl ’23 (St. Paul and Minneapolis) charges forward with the football during a well-fought Spaghetti bowl performance by the New Men team.

Seminarians and Priests from Regions IV and V are welcomed to the Apostolic Palace by His Holiness, Pope Francis as part of the visit Ad Limina with their bishops.

Bishops from Region IV gather around the relic of Christ's Crib at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

A group of bishops celebrates Mass at the Tomb of St. Peter at St. Peter's Basilica.

His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan and representatives from the Archdiocese of New York, in town for the visit Ad Limina, stand with their two seminarians, Danny Dilone ’22 (New York) and Viktor Gjergji ’23 (New York) and 5th year priest, Rev. Ryan Muldoon ’19 (New York) in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace before ascending to be received by the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Rev. Mr. Patrick Agustin ’20 (Washington) helps the contingent from the Diocese of Arlington take a group photo after celebrating Mass at the tomb of the Apostle Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica during their visit Ad Limina.

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Bishops, priests and seminarians from the Dioceses of Madison, Wisconsin and Rockford, Illinois join ranks during their regional visit Ad Limina in the College’s Cortile.

Center: Rev. Mr. Timothy Mergen ’20 (Madison) stands in prayer as the Bishops and Cardinals from Region IV gather at the tomb of St. Paul during their visit Ad Limina.

Lucas LaRoche ’21 (Worcester) stands next to the papal throne in Rome’s Cathedral during the visit Ad Limina, a privileged time when Mass is celebrated at each of the Major Basilicas in the city.

The Colleges’ seminarians from the Diocese of Lake Charles react to the experience of having just met the Holy Father, as they share stories in a corridor within the Apostolic Palace.

Left to right: Michael Wanta ’21 (Madison), Isaac Oviedo ’22 (Tyler), Andrew Kwiatkowski ’22 (Melbourne), Michael Malucha ’21 (Milwaukee), and Zachary Shaefbauer ’22 (Sioux Falls) stand around the main altar of the Immaculate Conception chapel, preparing for one of the College liturgies.

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Snapshots

A group of 2nd year seminarians prepare to run a 5K race around Vatican City at the 10th Annual Turkey Trot.

Seminarians and priests wait with bishops as they prepare to depart the College for one of the city’s Major Basilicas to celebrate Holy Mass during the visit Ad Limina at the College.

The 2nd year class decked out the refectory for the College's annual Oktoberfest Banquet.

Participants in the 2019 Roman Run 5K pose for a group photo after circumnavigating Vatican City.

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The Old Men and New Men who participated in the annual Thanksgiving weekend Spaghetti Bowl are thankful after a beautiful day full of good sportsmanship and fraternity on the Campo Sportivo.

Seminarians and priest alumni from the 4th Central hallway at the College share the traditional hall breakfast and fraternity time on Thanksgiving morning, after several of the men ran the Turkey Trot 5K around the Vatican City State, including the victor: Kyle Poje ’21 (Seattle).

Mauricio Portillo '22 (Arlington), Timothy Courtney '23 (Arlington) and Michael Nugent '23 (Arlington) smile before enjoying their first Thanksgiving dinner together in Rome.

The Rector, Very Rev. Peter Harman '99 (Springfield in Illinois), dedicates a new statue of St. Joseph, gifted to the College by the priests of the Class of 2019.

Rev. Joshua Rodrigue '02 (Houma-Thibodaux) celebrates Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine in thanksgiving for the episcopal ordination of Bishop Austin Vetter '93 (Helena), former Director of Spiritual Formation at the College.

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The Pope of the Family A Reflection on Pope Saint John Paul II

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CHRISTOPHER SMITH ‘20, DIOCESE OF AUSTIN o not be afraid! Open, indeed, open wide the doors to Christ!" These emboldening words began the pontificate of Pope John Paul II as he shepherded the Universal Church from 1978 to 2005. Pope John Paul II was a magnanimous, holy man who brought millions of people closer to Christ. His courage helped bring about the fall of Communism in much of Europe. He also traveled to over two hundred countries to visit his flock, and he created World Youth Day in 1985, as a way of encountering and empowering the young people of the world. His development of Theology of the Body continues to help married couples and all people “to express and realize the value of the body and sex according to the Creator’s original plan.” His pontificate emphasized human dignity and the uniqueness of every person, and emphasized the compatibility between faith and reason, which are “like two wings of

NAC FACTS

On George Washington’s birthday in the year 1980, Pope John Paul II visited the College as had been the tradition of his predecessors. The College had seen 143 seminarians in the house the year prior to his visit, and the recently-arrived New Man class began the 1979-1980 academic year with about 50 in number.

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Pope John Paul II is not only known as the “Pope of the Family,” but he also has a whole generation of priests called the “JPII generation.”

Thousands of men were drawn to the priesthood through the saintly witness of Pope John Paul II and he shepherded them as a father who dearly loved his sons. Pope John Paul II inspired people across all cultures to love Christ, Mary, and the Church.

Rev. Mr. Christopher Smith ’20 (Austin) shows off a picture of his family for a moment in between classes at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences where he is pursing a Licentiate in Theology of Marriage and the Family.

the human spirit by which it soars to the truth.”

Pope John Paul II was a man of great zeal for the evangelization of all peoples, but most importantly he was a champion for the family. In one of his most influential apostolic exhortations, Familiaris Consortio, Pope John Paul II reminds the faithful that “Christian marriage and the Christian family build up the Church.”

He highlighted that the family must remember its dignity and responsibility to form a community of persons rooted in love, to respect the dignity of human life in all of its stages, to participate in the development of society, and to share in the life and mission of the Church. Pope John Paul II challenged families and married couples to “become who you are.”

As we approach the fifteenth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death, his lasting impact on the Church continues to bear great fruit today. I am one of those fruits. I am currently studying the magnificent writings of Pope John Paul II, particularly on Marriage. and family life, here in Rome at the institute which bears his name. I am reminded daily, inside and outside of the classroom, that today more than ever, we must help “the first and vital cell of society,” the family, which is under great attack. Pope John Paul II desired for married couples and families to receive healing and strength through the Church, especially from Her priests. Therefore, we as seminarians and future priests must heed the words of Pope John Paul II to serve the needs of families, especially in the midst of a world that is in great tension, a world that is suffering, a world that desperately needs the light of Christ! “I plead with you—never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” n

A Year with Ratzinger A Reflection on Pope Benedict XVI

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REV. JASON W. BORKENHAGEN C'19, DIOCESE OF WICHITA spent A.D. 2018, with Benedict XVI. Beginning in January, the now Deacons Randy Hoang ’21 (Portland), Will Frei ’20, (Charleston), and Jonathan Vala ’20 (Diocese of Sydney), and I trekked out to the Regina Apostolorum every Monday to study different aspects of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI’s theological work.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI listens during a papal audience.

We enrolled in a program formally titled “Joseph Ratzinger: Studies and Spirituality,” which brought us into contact with the theological world of Joseph Ratzinger from his early years as a theologian, through his work at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, to the Chair of St. Peter. Under the guidance of Fr. Ralph Weimann and the many guest lecturers, we experienced the way Joseph Ratzinger learned and worked in theology. We

NAC FACTS

saw his ability to enter into different theological issues of the day without abandoning Catholic principles. In his memoir, Milestones, Benedict spoke particularly of the influence Catholic dogma had in his theological education.

He writes, “Dogma was conceived, not as an external shackle, but as the living source that made knowledge of the truth possible in the first place.

The Church came to life for us above all in the liturgy and in the great richness of the theological tradition.”

This quote summarizes much of what attracted me to Benedict XVI’s work.

The Church, dogma, liturgy - they are not just diverse subjects to be studied in formation or in advanced studies but have an inherent link to one another that enriches theology and her students.

This is how we studied the works of Joseph Ratzinger. We watched these links unfold throughout eight different modules. My favorite modules focused on Scripture, Christology, and liturgy.

We learned from many specialists, including Cardinals Koch, Mueller, and Sarah, as well as Archbishop Gänswein, who particularly studied Ratzinger’s works in these various theological topics. After studying two modules, we wrote a ten-page paper on one of the subjects from those modules.

It was not all work and study, though.

We had a few special events during the course of the year. Fr. Weimann arranged a special tour of the offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Here we saw the place Joseph Ratzinger worked for twentyfour years. We also went to the offices of the Ratzinger Foundation to learn more about the Ratzinger Prize and its many recipients.

However, there was one special event that topped all the others. Thanks to the boldness of Deacon Vala, who approached Archbishop Gänswein and requested an audience with the emeritus pope, some of us were able to meet Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. I had wanted to meet him since I read the Ratzinger Report in seminary.

With three days' notice, on June 7, 2019, I finally had the opportunity to meet Benedict XVI! It was a blessing in itself just to meet him. Each of us had the opportunity to speak to him, have a picture with him, and then we received his blessing.

After spending 2018 with Benedict XVI intellectually in the “Joseph Ratzinger: Studies and Spirituality” program, it was a surprising treat to spend a half-hour with him in person in 2019! n

There is a rich tradition at the North American College of placing painted portraits on the main floor—most honored among them are those that line the inside and outside walls of the refectory. In May 2006, the former Rector Msgr. Checchio had the privilege of presenting the new portrait of Pope Benedict XVI to the Holy Father himself.

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Rev. Mr. William Frei ’20 (Charleston) reflects on his experiences of ministering on the peripheries while standing alongside the newest addition to St. Peter’s square: a work of art dedicated to people like those he has encountered during his time at the College.

To the Peripheries A Reflection on Pope Francis and Mission

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. . . . R E V. M R . W I L L I A M F R E I ’ 2 0, D I O C E S E O F C H A R L E STO N . . . .

e have often heard Pope Francis speak of his desire that Holy Mother Church go to the peripheries. By the grace of God, I have been given a number of opportunities to do just that by way of volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity Sisters in Kolkata, India.

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Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me (Mt. 25:40).

Mother Teresa truly took this verse from the Gospel to heart, as do the Missionaries of Charity today.

Mother saw Christ in the poorest of the poor and for this reason, she and her Missionaries of Charity set

It is from my time in Kolkata that I have come to better understand Pope Francis’ desire that Holy Mother Church go to the peripheries.

out “to labor at the salvation and sanctification of the poorest of the poor not only in the slums but all over the world.” The Sisters realize this mission by: nursing the sick and the dying destitute; gathering and teaching street children; visiting and caring for beggars, leprosy patients, and their children; giving shelter to the abandoned and homeless; caring for the unwanted, the unloved, and the lonely; going out to the spiritually poor to proclaim the Word of God by their presence and spiritual works of mercy; and by adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Mother understood that “a missionary is one sent with a mission — a message to deliver,” and the message that she

and her Sisters have to deliver is God’s love. To have seen the Sisters deliver this message to the poorest of the poor each day during my time in Kolkata, is something almost too beautiful to express in words. So many times, the care, the concern, and the love that I saw the Sisters give to the poorest of the poor, reminded me of the care a mother shows toward her children.

Men, women, and children, truly on the fringes of society, the destitute, the dying, the sick, the unwanted, the unloved, were cared for by these spiritual mothers, the Missionaries of Charity Sisters, and these spiritual mothers received the poorest of the poor as their own spiritual children.

Not only this, the Sisters see the poorest of the poor for who they really

are, Jesus in His most distressing disguise, and they restore their dignity by delivering to them the message of God’s love.

It is from my time in Kolkata that I have come to better understand Pope Francis’ desire that Holy Mother Church go to the peripheries. While I have been blessed with the opportunity to go to the peripheries geographically, the “peripheries” to which the Missionaries of Charity Sisters in Kolkata go, are the peripheries of the human heart.

Men, women, and children, who were unwanted and unloved, who once “lived on the streets like animals,” are taken in by the Sisters and shown both their dignity and the love of God. We, too, are invited by the Holy Father, following the example of the Missionaries of Charity Sisters, to go to the peripheries of the human heart to deliver the message of God’s love to all men, women, and children, seeing in each of them Jesus in His most distressing disguise, for He Himself said, whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me (Mt. 25:40). n

NAC FACTS

Rev. Mr. William Frei ‘20 (Chaleston) says a prayer at the tomb of Mother Teresa during the brief moments in between his work on the peripheries)

Excerpt from Roman Echoes, 2013: "Annuntio Vobis Gaudium Magnum" by Robert Wolfe II [Bridgeport, 2014]—”And then something altogether unexpected happened. Pope Francis bowed his head, asking for our prayers as he began his ministry. The square, which had been a jubilant cacophony of cheers transformed into a silent symphony of prayer...

I prayed that he would be a holy, humble, and faithful steward.

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Back row, third from the left: Joseph White ’21 (Galveston-Houston) relishes another victory with his classmates on the Campo Sportivo after winning the College’s annual frisbee tournament for the third consecutive year.

To Be Formed on the Field with Pope Pius XII . . . . J OS E P H W H I T E ‘ 2 1 , A R C H D I O C E S E O F GA L V E STO N-H O U STO N

....

Sport, properly directed, develops character, makes a person courageous, a generous loser, and a gracious victor; it refines the senses, gives intellectual penetration, and steels the will to endurance.

It is not merely a physical development then. Sport, rightly understood, is an occupation of the whole person, and while perfecting the body as an instrument of the mind, it also makes the mind itself a more refined instrument for the search and communication of truth.”

– Pope Pius XII, "Sport at the Service of the Spirit", July 29, 1945.

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The plan to reestablish the seminary after WWII included construction on the Janiculum Hill for the new College, and renovation of the Humility Street property for graduate students. On October 14, 1953, Pope Pius XII dedicated the current seminary buildings on the Janiculum Hill himself.

Fifteen cardinals—the largest number ever to attend a North American College function—were in attendance with other visitors who filled the Immaculate Conception Chapel, designed to accommodate 400 persons—with at least 1000. The bronze bust of the Pope, still present at the College today, had already been installed before his visit.

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I have always loved watching and playing sports. This is what happens when your dad is your coach and your mom is your cheerleader. However, I am not sure that I was always inclined, like Pope Pius XII, to say that sport has a significant role in leading us to the service and praise of God. Considering that this pope founded our Janiculum campus of the College and calling to mind how many hours the men in the College, myself included, have spent playing sports on our Campo Sportivo, I began to reflect that sport could, in fact, help lead man to his ultimate end and thus form him as a true Christian disciple. What I discovered was that playing sports forms the Christian disciple by teaching him how to fail, how to pursue the good, and how to be a man of communion.

Learning how to fail helps us to develop true character. Failure is an unavoidable part of life, and as disciples, we will never be perfect on this earth. Sports can teach us how to persevere in the face of failure. Sports are full of failure. In fact, the best baseball players only get a hit thirty percent of the time! In other words, they fail up to seventy percent of the time.

The best players learn how to fail well.

Failure does not discourage them from trying to succeed at their next

opportunity. The same must be true for us as Christian disciples. Although we may fall often into sin, we must continue to courageously pursue holiness.

Furthermore, as Christian disciples, we must be as preoccupied with pursuing the good as the sportsman is preoccupied with winning. Successful players in sports do not have the goal of not losing; rather, they are concerned with winning. This distinction may seem semantic, but it actually reveals a crucial attitude for success. The player that gets the epithet of a “winner” or “one with killer instinct” is the player that always tries to do something good as opposed to trying not to do something wrong. The Christian disciple is called to have the same attitude towards holiness and the spiritual life. My dad would always say, “We have to play offense!” This small phrase contains a great truth for the Christian disciple since we should not be preoccupied with playing defense against the enemy, but should focus on scoring, on pursuing God, the ultimate Good.

Christ, in the beatitudes, reveals this reality of the spiritual life by giving the disciple a way of life to pursue rather than something to avoid.

Finally, the Christian disciple is focused on being a part of his community, like

a player on a sports team. In team sports, each player has a specific role that helps the team accomplish its goal, and the position that each player fills is ideally the best for his own success and that of the entire team. A coach might decide that one player is the best quarterback, but he certainly would not put this player as a lineman, wide-receiver, or defensive back. The same reality exists within the Body of Christ. Each person within the Body of Christ has a specific role that Christ, as the Head, has chosen for him in order to bring about the greatest good for the entire body. Playing on a sports team teaches a man how to fulfill his role to the best of his ability, even if it is not the most glamorous.

In light of these reflections, I have come to realize the brilliance of Pope Pius XII’s words about sport. Sport, properly directed, certainly sanctifies a man and helps him to carry out his mission here on earth. I am therefore grateful for the Pope’s words, and his generosity in giving us this campus that has such a great Campo Sportivo for us to play sports and ultimately continue to learn how to be the best disciples and priests of Jesus Christ that we can be. n

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Joseph White '21 (Galveston-Houston) reaches up for the football over the head of another seminarian during a friendly competition on the Kardos Campo Sportivo.

With their own sports field open for business in October 1953, new sports traditions and competitions developed at the College—most famously in 1954 on Thanksgiving Day, the annual “New Man-Old Man” football game, dubbed “The Spaghetti Bowl,” was inaugurated on the gridiron. The final score of the first game was 28-6 in favor of the Old Men. ROMAN ECHOES 2020 • VOLUME 24: ISSUE 2

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left to right Patrick MCain, Mary Stone, Michael Olsta, Msgr. Sweeney, Dustin Busse, Fr. David Fons, Fr. Cush, Deacon Nate Anderson, Fr. Spencer St. Louis, Michael Malucha, Ryan Glaser, Robert Kinyon.

Thanks to the kindness of Fr. Joshua Elhi, '09, C'15 (CSM Director of Newly Ordained) who works as an official at the Vatican's Propagation of the Faith, Fr. John Cush, '98, C'15, (PNAC Academic Dean) was able to lead a "mini-pilgrimage" in Rome recently in honor of the canonization of Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman.

Accompanying Fr. Cush was Msgr. Luke Sweeney, '01, (PNAC adjunct spiritual director), graduate priests from the Casa Santa Maria, seminarians from the College, and lay students from the Church History class that Fr. Cush teaches for the Angelicum.

They were able to offer Holy Mass at the Altar where Saint John Henry Newman celebrated his first Mass and then were able to venerate a relic of the newly canonized saint. From there, Fr. Cush and Msgr. Sweeney took the group to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, where Cardinal Newman did his novitiate.

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Newman: Truth Refracted through Life Meditations and Devotions DA N I E L H A M M E R ' 2 2 , D I O C E S E O F D U LU T H

“For the honour of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the increase of the Christian life … we declare and define Blessed John Henry Newman … to be [a Saint] and we enroll [him] among the Saints, decreeing that [he is] to be venerated as such by the whole Church.”

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ith these words, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, declared John Henry Newman a saint in the Catholic Church on October 13, 2019, at St. Peter’s Basilica. This excerpt from the Canonization Mass of Newman highlights three related reasons for which one, in general, is canonized. These three reasons are intimately bound together. For there are no members of the Church without God the Father calling and forming a people for His own, without sending His Son to save us and reveal to us the reality of the Godhead, and finally without God the Holy Spirit igniting the hearts of believers to live the Christian faith. There is no Catholic faith without being rooted in an ever-deepening relationship with the Triune God and neighbor. There is no Christian life without understanding one’s experiences, religious or otherwise, in the light of the Resurrected Christ.

This past summer, I had the opportunity of spending time in Littlemore, England, in the same place where Newman lived from 1842 to 1846, where he finished "An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine," and where he was welcomed into the Catholic Church in 1845, by Blessed Dominic Barberi. It was precisely this

experience of mine that I had been reflecting upon before the Canonization Mass. During the declaration of Pope Francis, I recalled a specific prayer of Newman’s found in Part III of Meditations and Devotions entitled “Meditations on Christian Doctrine.”

Newman prays:

“God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission—I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.”

It is out of this reality of election and uniqueness of mission that Newman lived his life. It is out of this reality where the hunger for truth was transformed into the desire for Truth Himself. Newman’s life can be characterized by an intellectual polyphony and conversion. A life rooted in seeking the truth not only to be thought about, but to be breathed-in and lived. It is this conviction, informed and guided by the light of the Resurrected Christ refracted through the doctrine of the Catholic Church, that Newman lived all the days of his life. This example

of living one’s life in and through the Catholic faith reveals a deeper desire for all Catholics – whether in formation to be a priest, already in a specific vocation, or unsure of where God is calling – that can only begin to be fulfilled in a life of complete self-gift to the one Who created all there is out of nothing and in Whom the ultimate truth about ourselves is revealed: that we are beloved sons and daughters of God. It is only through the light of the Resurrected Christ that we are able to see this truth. St. John Cardinal Henry Newman models for us not only a life lived in this truth, but also invites us to live in the “one true Fold of Christ,” that is, a life lived in the loving arms of Holy Mother Church. n

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Excerpt from McNamara’s book, The American College in Rome, speaking on hosting dinner in the College refectory to honor several prominent English prelates: “The dinner in honor of Howard, Manning and Vaughan took place in 1880. A year before a still more renowned English churchman had called at the Via dell’Umilita: John Henry Cardinal Newman”.

The latest news and photos from Rome.

Over 14,000 fans and counting– join us! facebook.com/PontificalNorthAmericanCollege instagram.com/pnac_rome

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Gaudens Gaudebo in Domino REV. ALFREDO PORRAS ’19, DIOCESE OF WORCESTER

“I

rejoice heartily in the Lord,” so begins the entrance antiphon for the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, “... for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation.”

Five years of celebrating this feast at the College has always been a joyous occasion. It reminds us of many of the reasons for which we can rejoice as a community. This includes first and foremost the particular role of Our Lady in God’s plan of salvation, that through her Immaculate Conception she became Christ’s first victory over sin. She is the first to sing the praises of her Savior.

As Cardinal O’Brien so beautifully reminded us this year, the College itself was conceived by Pope Pius IX alongside the solemn proclamation of the Immaculate Conception, and so it is most fitting that we enjoy of her patronage in a particular way. The successor of Peter is no stranger to the

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It is tradition at the College to sing the school song “Ad Multos Annos” during important feasts. The origin of this song is obscure but has been in constant use since the beginning of the 20th century. The song used to be sung in parts, with each school year adding its own stanza until the deacon class who were to return to America would be left singing alone the grand finale of a happy villa season.

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Left to right: Curtis Weisenburger ’21 (Toledo), Jacob Livecchi ’23 (Toledo), Rev. Tad Oxley II ‘03 (Toledo), Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas CSM‘89 (Toledo) and Rev. Mr. Zachary Brown ’20 (Toledo) flank the image of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception during the College’s celebration of Her patronal feast day on the 160th anniversary of the College.

promises of victory and salvation, as Christ himself decreed that the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against the Church built on his foundation.

This was a promise of Christ’s final victory over sin in the salvation of the Church. Following the example of Our Lady, the Church, in like manner, sings the praises of the Lord, her Savior, and invites us to make these words our own.

Every year, the banquet comes soon after the Thanksgiving celebrations at the College. Having spent a few days reveling in hearty North American customs, growing fonder of our cultural identity (as diverse as it may be) and more and more nostalgic for our homes, we can then reflect on why we come

here for our priestly formation and for our studies. We are here because Peter is here. This was more evident this year than the others I have experienced.

The reason for this is that, unlike other years, a unique element to our celebrations included the presence of our many bishops as they make their ad limina visits to the tombs of the apostles and to the Holy Father. This is a clear manifestation of the mission we receive with ordination: the mission of the apostles and the mission of our bishops in union with the Holy Father to bring the Lord’s salvation to the ends of the world. Moreover, but it may just be me, I thought that Ad Multos Annos has not been sung as strongly in the past few years as it was at the closing of this year’s banquet. n

Economo’s Corner

When Zero Counts for Something R E V. K E R RY A B B OT T, O F M CO N V. , I C T E ' 1 4

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n other articles in this issue you will read that zero is not normally a laudable achievement on our beautiful campo sportivo (sports field), palestra (gymnasium) or even our nuova torre academica (new academic tower), but down on the “zero” levels of both the seminary building and the Casa Santa Maria, zero is precisely one milestone we hope to achieve.

On any given day our kitchens normally serve roughly nine hundred meals…when one adds the privilege of providing for our episcopal guests during their 2019 & 2020 Ad Limina visits that number can easily swell to over one thousand meals per day, seven days a week…provided by less than ten cooks for both campuses.

Anyone who has been a resident or guest at either campus can attest to the fact that a few do much to provide tasty and delicious food for many (notwithstanding a culinary glitch here and there, e.g., the 2018 Oktoberfest potato salad). All this adds up to a lot more than zero so what am I talking about?

After almost two years of research and planning the College has undertaken to bring the kitchens at both campuses into compliance with the most current European and Vatican City State workspace and safety requirements, undertaking the first full-scale comprehensive updating of our kitchens since the

seminary was constructed in the early twentieth century.

Thanks to our benefactors from both the Vision for Future and Echo Christ capital campaigns, this work has already begun at the Casa Santa Maria, and in large measure thanks to the beneficence of Dennis and Lynne Jilot who created the James Cardinal Harvey Hospitality Fund, renovation work will soon begin on the kitchen and associated areas at the seminary.

As I mentioned previously, our kitchens are located on the “zero” level at both campuses, but that is not the zero we hope to achieve...rather we are striving for zero waste.

It is not lost on me over these years, and I know as well for all of my sisters and brothers that live, pray, work and study at both the Casa Santa Maria and at the seminary, that everything we use and consume at the College in the pursuit of serving God and His people comes to us through the hard work and support of our benefactors…everything. To that end our residents and staff have made great strides in the area of recycling and reduction of waste…particularly in the production and consumption of our delicious meals.

Renovation of our kitchens is not just a nice thing to do but will allow us to be more responsible in our consumption of energy, and more efficient in our recycling and

composting efforts while respecting God’s creation and responsibly using the material support of our benefactors.

These lessons are an essential element of the College’s primary mission: the education and formation of seminarians and student-priests as parish priests and pastors in order to bring the Light of Christ to a dark, unforgiving wasteful world. Saint John Paul II in his message for the 1990 World Day of Peace stated, “…Placing human well-being at the center of concern for the environment is actually the surest way of safeguarding creation; this in fact stimulates the responsibility of the individual with regard to natural resources and their judicious use.”

Achieving zero on the campo sportivo may not win us any soccer games, but zero waste is a big win for Creation, and a big indicator of gratitude to you, our benefactors. n

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Come and See MARK RANDALL, CFRE • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

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hen was the last time you visited Rome?

Long ago? Perhaps never? Or maybe just a few years ago if you attended the College as a student. Regardless, please consider this an invitation to come visit the Eternal City and the North American College in 2020. We are offering two different experiences this year, based on College celebrations that always interest outside guests.

The first event is the 28th Annual Rector’s Dinner that will take place on April 23, 2020. This celebration of the College mission and those who support it is a wonderful evening hosted by our Guests and students at the 2019 Rector’s Dinner students. A cocktail hour with live music, a four-course meal, and the presentation of the annual Rector’s Awards are 7-night Mediterranean cruise aboard please feel free to call the Office of enjoyed by over 400 guests each year the Seabourn Encore, ending in Malta. Institutional Advancement to see if a from the U.S., Holy See, and Italy. campus visit can be arranged. (Unlike An add-on trip to the regions of Tuscany and Veneto is being offered this year.

Over eight days, we will reflect on the lives of some of the great Italian saints, experience the masterworks of Florence, and explore the intersection of cultures in Venice, all with 5-star travel services included.

In the fall, the College celebrates the Ordination to the Diaconate of our fourth-year students on October 1, 2020. Trip guests will attend this very special event in St. Peter’s Basilica and join the community at the College for a grand celebration afterward. The special journey continues with a

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The Pontifical North American College

Both experiences will allow you a chance to visit with our students, receive their joy and hospitality, and get an inside look at ‘America’s Seminary in Rome.’ You will also have time to explore favorite places in Rome or discover new ones. And the travel with other guests will offer both spiritual and fraternal rewards.

Should your travels this year have you in Rome at some other time,

US-based college campuses, which are generally open 24/7, the Seminary and Casa Santa Maria campuses in Rome are secure locations out of respect for our residents’ privacy and safety, so advance planning is required.)

The next issue of Roman Echoes will be full of tips and recommendations for visiting Rome. But accept our invitation today and plan to come see the future of the American priesthood! n

FOR TRAVEL ITINERARIES AND DETAILS, GO TO:

www.pnac.org/trips

Northern Italy Experience

The Pontifical North American College

28 Annual th

Rector’s Dinner Very Reverend Peter C. Harman, Rector, on behalf of The Pontifical North American College’s Board of Governors, cordially invites you to 28th Annual Rector’s Dinner

APRIL 23, 2020

Join other friends of the North American College for a special Northern Italy Experience, April 26-May 4, 2020.

Explore the regions of Tuscany and Veneto: the great Italian saints, masterworks of Florence, and the beauty of Venice. Daily Mass, incredible food and wine, and 5-star travel are all included.

Cocktail Reception at 6:30 pm - Dinner at 7:30 pm The Janiculum Hill Campus Via del Gianicolo, 14 Rome, ITALY

2020 Rector’s Award Honorees We are delighted to present the annual Rector’s Award in recognition of service to the Catholic Church and the North American College to: H.E. Seán Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Boston

APRIL 26-MAY 4, 2020

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Jilot Reno, Nevada

Registration opens February 1, 2020 at www.pnac.org/rectorsdinner ROMAN ECHOES 2020 • VOLUME 24: ISSUE 2 39

Photos © istockPhoto

The Pontifical North American College Office of Institutional Advancement 3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20017-1194 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED1

NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 144 WALDORF, MD

For more information about the Pontifical North American College, subscription questions, or to learn about ways you can financially support “America’s Seminary in Rome,” please contact Mark Randall, CFRE, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement.

Tel: (202) 541-5411 Fax: (202) 470-6211 Email: pnacdc@pnac.org Website: www.pnac.org

A night view from the Cortile degli Aranci after a stormy evening, displaying a portion of the “R” Level of the College and the fountain at the center of the courtyard.